San Juan Development Association works to attract and cultivate year-round employment and primary jobs in San Juan County, Colorado.  We accomplish this by:

• assisting relocating businesses

• assisting local start-up businesses

• educating and supporting existing businesses in Silverton and San Juan County

• acting as a creative partner for businesses owners

• providing entrepreneurial training for businesses owners

• networking local amenities, benefits and opportunities

• problem-solving local challenges with business owners

• providing workforce housing for owners and employees

• providing community and capital lending to start-up and growing businesses 

• supporting job training and workforce cultivation

• spreading the news about business success in Silverton

• enhancing Silverton as a place to live, work and raise a family

• and more!

2009 EntrepreneurRoundtables (April, 2009-January, 2010)
 click here to download a PDF of the schedule!

Economic development is important to the future of Silverton for many reasons.  Mining is no longer the economic mainstay of the County.  Tourism - while an important economic driver - does not provide year-round jobs that pay average wages or higher for San Juan County residents.  Our economic successes have turned on the development of creative micro-enterprises in Silverton and San Juan County.  These designers, manufacturers and wholesale businesses are benefiting from Silverton's status as an incredible place to live and work with a high quality of life and easy access to outdoor recreation in the high mountain country.  They are also hard working folks who believe that Silverton provides an excellent place for business to grow and flourish.   

15 entities have chosen to locate in Silverton in the last 7 years.  Most of these small businesses have tremendous scalability and promise more job growth, higher wages, better skill development for employees and more benefits than most private sector jobs.     

     - Read an article about Small Business Development in Silverton from the Gunnison River Times

Below is a list of some year-round businesses that have made Silverton their home in the last 7 years:

• Mountain Studies Institute (mountain research and education)
• Mountain Boy Sledworks (handcrafted sled manufacturer)
• Venture Snowboards (snowboard manufacturer)
• Scotty Bob's Skis - Custom Shop (custom ski manufacturer)
• Barz Decorative Hardware (cabinet hardware manufacturer)
• Silverton Mountain Ski Area (newest ski area in America - extreme terrain)
• Montanya Distillers (micro-distiller of spirits)
• Center for Snow and Avalanche Studies (snow and avalanche research and education)
• The Gear Exchange (on-line and local outdoor gear retailer)
• Silverton Mountain (extreme ski area)
• Kendall Mountain Ski Area (revitalized family ski area)
• Beckoning Design (graphic design)
• The Creative Crackerjack (graphic design)
• The Silverton Family Learning Center (early childhood education center)
• Silverton Movement Center (Pilates training center with yoga and other exercise classes)
• Mountain Goat Ski Guides (backcountry ski guiding company)

Download a PDF description of Silverton's general business climate.

Silverton is also home to a number of impressive artists and craftspeople who live, work and make their living in Silverton and San Juan County.  Silverton is a unique place for artists to derive inspiration.  To learn more about practicing artists and craftspeople, download this PDF brochure of artists and galleries.

A MUST READ!  All small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs should read The E-Myth Revisited by Michael E. Gerber.  Available at www.amazon.com.